PCM-05-09-2024

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H H E A E N A K C Y S O T U R

From start to finish

PCM Extended Learning Program Teacher Brian Adams helps guide students of all ages to grow and develop to find their passions and highest potential

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Growth and development — from early in elementary school to seniors moving their tassel at graduation — is what drives PCM Extended Learning Program Teacher Brian Adams. A 2003 graduate from PCM, Adams has a front-row seat to see students from the start of their school journey until the final day.

“My favorite part of teaching is watching kids grow and develop over time. I am lucky because I get to work with kids from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade,” Adams said. “I started working with some of this year’s seniors when they were 8 years old. To see where they are now and to know that I’ve helped them get there in some small way is what keeps me going.”

What would you tell young people interested in teaching?

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer PCM ELP Teacher Brian Adams helps a student with a

The extended learning program, or ELP, is the district’s commitment to provide a quality continuum of services and collaborative

Fridley: Teaching is hard work. Teaching has many challeng- es. Teaching is exhausting. BUT it is so worth it and extremely rewarding. The stu- dents make all the challenges worth it. To know you are making a positive impact on a child is an incredible feeling. I would tell them to love all your students, build positive relationships with them, set high expectations and you will see amazing things.

Always a teacher

Prairie

City Elementary Kindergarten Teacher

Stacy Fridley wanted to be a teacher as long as she could remember and landed her dream job at PCM

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

From trying to get her brother to be her “student” when she was young to teaching the youngest kiddos, kindergarten teacher

Stacy Fridley has always had a passion for teaching. When her dream job of teaching kindergarten at PCM opened up, she jumped on the opportunity to be back in her hometown and make an impact on the communities she loves.

“For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a teacher,” Fridley said. “When I was little I always wanted to play school and often begged my brother to be my student. Through the years I had

so many amazing teachers that I looked up to but I absolutely loved my third grade teacher, Mrs. Mary Elrod. I wanted to be a teacher just like her.”

After graduating from PCM in 2000, Fridley earned her degree in education from Simpson College and later her master’s from Viterbo University. At Simpson, she was able to get in the classroom right away and learn from a variety of educators.

“One of the most valuable things I learned was to have high expectations for all students,” Fridley said. “Students will live up to the expectations that you set.”

supports to meet the needs of students identified as needing enrichment or unique and individualized

Landgrebe: Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Relationships are so important to have with students, staff, and your community.

Making beautiful music

PCM Middle School Music Teacher

Janice Davis came home to not only teach but raise her family in the communities she loves

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Wanting her family to be a part of the PCM community brought middle school music teacher Janice Davis back to her hometown. Her path from graduating from Monroe to teaching at her alma mater had a few different stops, but she is more than happy to be teaching her passion of music to students each day.

“In college, I started out as a music therapy/music ed major. After spending a year in that coursework,

Adams: If I had to give ad- vice to someone interested in teaching it would be that the first few years are always kind of tough but if you can make it through that you eventually find your perfect place and the job can be what you’ve always imagined it would be.

Davis: The profession is changing fast. Don’t think that everyday is gonna be a piece of cake — it’s not! But making a difference in young peoples’ lives is the best. AND from your first day on the job in education start a daily journal. Every day write something you want to remember from that school day on a page in the journal. Some days you will be so exhausted you can only write a sentence. Some days you will have so much to say, you write pages.

A warm welcome hello

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Each morning, Monroe Elementary Reading Specialist Angie Landgrebe is waiting to give students a warm welcome as she helps them from their cars to the school. Hugs and high fives are often rained on Landgrebe as kids are excited to see her to start the day.

“I have always enjoyed children. As a child, I was always the kid who rounded everyone up to play school,” Landgrebe said. “I spent most of my weekends growing up babysitting all of the neighborhood kids. I have always known that I wanted

to spend every day with children.”

A Monroe High School alumnus, Landgrebe went on to earn her degree from William Penn before return-

ing to Monroe to begin her teaching career.

“I want to have a direct impact on my community that I know and care about. I was born and raised in Monroe so educating the next generation is important to me,” Landgrebe said. “I truly enjoy staying connected to all of the students and families that I have taught over the years.”

To start her career, she had the honor of working with a teacher that had taught her in elementary school. That connection helped her during her early years and become the teacher she is today.

project during his time at Prairie City Elementary.

Monroe Elementary Reading Specialist Angie Landgrebe is the first person kids see when arriving at school providing a warm welcome to start the day

Landgrebe

Worth Mentioning

Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com

PCM Food Pantry

The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St., is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

NSNWR program Saturday

Join photographer Mike Cox at 8 a.m. Saturday as he leads a walk along a trail at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The spring bird migration will be at its peak. Learn tips for taking excellent outdoor photographs while looking for migrating birds and more. All types of cameras can be used during this program. For additional information and to register contact nancy_corona@fws.gov or call 515-994-3400.

American Legion Posts

The Monroe American Legion Auxiliary meet at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Legion.

Blood Drive May 18

Prairie City and Monroe Community Blood Drive will be from 7:15 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18 at the Monroe United Methodist Church, 407 N. Monroe St. Call for appointment at 800-287-4903.

Scholarship opportunity for area students

Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, a volunteer group supporting the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, are offering a $1,000 annual renewable scholarship for a graduating student from an area high school. One student will be awarded the scholarship each year. Eligible students are graduating seniors from the following high schools: Bondurant-Farrar, Colfax-Mingo, Newton, PCM, Pella, Pella Christian and Southeast Polk.

Students receiving the award may renew for up to an additional three years at $1,000 for each year. Requirements are based on high school academic records, college academic achievement and the understanding that the student works toward a 2- or 4-year degree in conservation or environmental related studies.

Scholarship requirements and application are available on the Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge website at www.tallgrass.org/ friends-scholarship.

Deadline for applications is May 15.

Explorer PCM

Daryl Dee Wright

April 12, 2024

Obituaries

Daryl Dee Wright, 78, passed away on April 12, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. A visitation was held from 4:006:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas, Iowa. Funeral services took place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Prairie City United Methodist Church. Dee was laid to rest in Dallas Cemetery following a luncheon at the church. Dee was born in Knoxville, Iowa on May 1, 1945, to Clif and Ruth (Hawk) Wright. A hard-working

James Owen Barr

May 3, 2024

James Owen Barr was born July 3, 1943, to Owen and Esther (Miller) Barr, in Newton, Iowa. James passed away May 3, 2024, at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

James attended country elementary schools and graduated from Monroe High School. He then attended Buena Vista College where he played base ball

farm kid, he was driving a tractor by the age of ten. Dee graduated with the Melcher-Dallas class of 1963, and continued his education in Centerville, Iowa. While working and raising his family, Dee eventually completed studies at Drake University in 1991, with a degree in Sociology. He spent almost 25 years working for Firestone in Des Moines. He also worked for Methodist Hospital at the Younker Rehabilitation Center, where he met his wife, Roberta. The two married in 1967. Roberta passed away in 2006 after almost 40 years of marriage. His kind and selfless nature made him the perfect fit for the job. As much as he loved his work, Dee always felt the most joy working on the farm. Being on the farm with his family was his idea of paradise.

Anyone who knew Dee

for the BV Beavers. James graduated with a teaching degree.

James was united in marriage to Connie Lou Nolin, and to this union four children were born: Shawn, Kimberly, Rebecca, and Jennifer.

James began his career as a schoolteacher and coach in the BGM schools (Brooklyn, Gurnsey, and Malcom.) He spoke fondly of these years of teaching and coaching basketball, track, and softball. Eventually he went into insurance sales and had a successful 40-year career.

James was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and served on the

Monroe announces spraying dates

The City of Monroe will be spraying for mosquitoes May 23, June 27, July 25 and Aug. 29.

could speak of his kind and jovial personality. He never knew a stranger. Dee was a generous and thoughtful man who instilled those same virtues in his children. Whether it was visiting folks in nursing homes to offer a ride or a listening ear, to volunteering his time at Knoxville United Methodist Church, Dee taught his children the value of service to others.

Dee cherished his family more than anything else. One of his greatest joys was traveling with Nora, whom he married in 2016, to watch her perform in gospel concerts. Seeing her play always put a smile on his face. Dee adored his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His giving and caring personality will resonate with his family for many years to come.

Dee is survived by his

State of Iowa camping board for several years.

James enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting, golfing, searching for Indian artifacts, and following sports – especially high school sports. He loved his family and particularly enjoyed participating in outdoor activities with them.

Those left to honor James’ memory are his children: Shawn (Delana) Barr, Kimberly (Tim) Beard, Rebecca (Steve) Woody, and Jennifer (John) Kramer; 14 grandchildren, and 15 great

wife, Nora; children: Scott (Heather) Wright, Bill (Abby) Wright, Roger (Melodie) Wright, Greg (Sarah) Wright, and Heidi Wright; grandchildren: Sean, Alexandra, William, Luke, Gracie, Nate, Becca, Sammie, and Christina; his great grandchildren: Amelia, Pierce, Florence, Elowyn, Delmer, and Freya; stepson, Kevin (Jodi) DeReus; step-grandchildren: Jonathan (Patsy) DeReus, Emily (Justin) Turner, Sarah (Josiah) Krispense, Benjamin DeReus, and Katelyn DeReus; and seven step-great grandchildren with one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Roberta; and twin infant siblings, Deloris and Doyle. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dee’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ron Barr.

James was preceded in death by his parents Owen and Esther Barr, and his sister Lavon Dunkle.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 9, at the United Methodist Church in Monroe. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, May 10, also at the United Methodist Church in Monroe. Memorials may be given to Grace Fellowship Church. The Garden Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

GriefShare at PC FRC

First Reformed Church in Prairie City hosts GriefShare from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through June 12. For more information, contact Mary Lemmertat 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@aol.com.

Dennis Kane, a 62 year resident of Prairie City, will celebrate his 95th birthday with his son, Pat and his family (Chris, Aimee and 5-year-old twins, Ava and Ethan) from Boise and his daughter, Cynthia, her husband, Greg, and their son and daughter in law, Geoffrey and Neerja from Bend. Denny stays active, attending a Band of Brothers breakfast every Monday, a standing coffee time weekly with friends and walking an hour a day or working out in the gym at his retirement community. Please send him birthday wishes at 1125 NE Watt Way,

and require appropriate instruction and educational services to meet their abilities and needs beyond those provided by the regular school program.

Adams works with elementary and high school students in ELP. Through his work he pushes the students to find how far they can grow in fun and creative ways.

His path to becoming a teacher started while at the University of Iowa. A trip to study abroad brought new opportunities that guided him towards education as a career path.

“I got into teaching after helping my host dad learn English while studying abroad,” Adams said. “I really enjoyed helping him gain this new skill and that kind of helped push me towards teaching as a career.”

He continued his education at Arizona State University building on the knowledge he gained at Iowa.

“In both places it was emphasized to me how important it is to view each student as an individual with their own needs and aspirations,” Adams said. “This has helped me immensely in my current role helping students develop their unique skills and talents.”

While at PCM, he has worked to help students find their path which may

have many turns and curves along the way. Figuring out what a passion is isn’t always straightforward or easy for students but when it happens it is a victory for not only the student but also Adams.

“The great part about working as a teacher is that every day you get to experience both struggles as well as victories,” Adams said. “My favorite part of teaching is watching kids grow and develop over time. Learning and growth is never a direct path forward, but getting to watch kids overcome that and develop into really skilled and talented young adults is awesome to see.”

Caring about students doesn’t stop when they leave PCM. Adams keeps tabs on their journeys to see how they grow after they are done with high school.

“Whenever you run into a former student, years after graduation, it’s amazing how it all kind of comes rushing back to you,” Adams said. “I’ve had a lot of good ones and I feel lucky to be able to say that.”

Continuing to see kids grow and find themselves has Adams back each day. With every year, new students give him the opportunity to start a journey to discovery over the next 13 years.

“I keep teaching because helping kids become better versions of themselves is extremely meaningful for me,” Adams said. “Everyone has a special talent to develop and some won’t be able to without the right help and support along the way. Being able to provide that for them is the most meaningful way to spend my time.”

I decided to change to elementary education for my major,” Davis said. “I have had moments where I regretted changing majors away from music, but I am very thankful I stuck to education.”

At Wartburg College, Davis participated in many activities including the vocal jazz group and Castle Singers. With those groups, she was able to travel and have many different experiences.

“I also had several practicum opportunities in education that led me to experience many different settings,” Davis said. “All of these experiences allowed me to see and work with a diverse array of people in various areas locally and around the world. I think it has made me more accepting of others who may be different than me — this has helped me to become a teacher who sees beyond those differences in the classroom to help create a more unified and accepting atmosphere amongst my students.”

Davis taught in a couple of other districts before returning to PCM. At that time, the first of her four children was born and, along with her husband, she wanted to teach in the community she grew up in.

“I really wanted to teach where my children were so we were close to each other and maintained the same schedules in the school year,” Davis said. “PCM has become my work home to stay and retire from in the future because I have become invested in the students and my coworkers. I can’t imagine going somewhere else.”

From teaching the youngest learners to taking on the tough

middle school years, Davis has held a variety of positions at PCM. Each one has taught her something new and helped her to become the teacher she is today.

“I have worn many different hats and held various positions at PCM — there are so many memories!” Davis said. “Some of my strongest memories include the letter friends parade while teaching kindergarten. I think this is partly because my own children were each involved in the letter friends parade as well as a kindergartner. The kids all got into this and loved dressing up — it was the best day ever in kindergarten.”

With the good comes the struggles and learning how to work through them and come out on the other end helps Davis know she is where she is meant to be.

“I can’t imagine teaching somewhere else; that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about leaving education at various points. There have been many struggles along the way — sadness, heartbreak, irritations,

frustrations — they all come with the job,” Davis said. “It’s when the lightbulb turns on for a kid that a small victory is won for me. It’s when a kid shines on stage that makes my heart happy. It’s when I get daily hugs from kids in the hallway — I know I am meant to stick around for a while at PCM Middle School.

“A wise person gave me a gift a little over a year ago that said, ‘You are exactly where you are meant to be’ on the outside of the mug. I have come to realize this is accurate more and more everyday this past school year.”

From working with kids on the stage as the middle school musical director to guiding them to find their voice in music and choir, Davis has found her place at PCM.

“I keep teaching because I can’t imagine spending my days doing anything else and with any kids other than PCM kids,” Davis said. “I love being in middle school music, directing the middle school musical, and coaching high school speech at PCM.”

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer After several different positions, PCM Middle School Music Teacher Janice Davis landed in the post she is most passionate about: Music.

The purveyors of antisemitism must be stopped

This week, our Jewish friends and neighbors are observing Passover, a holiday which commemorates the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of faithful Jewish households, sparing them from the 10th plague and leading to their eventual liberation. Passover is a time when families gather, and stories of overcoming adversity, of conquering hate, are retold. Unfortunately, this week, a new tale of hate has emerged, unfolding on our college campuses. Terrorist-supporting Hamas sympathizers flooded Columbia University with vile attacks on the university’s Jewish community. Every American has a constitutional right to peacefully protest. However, they do not have the right to threat-

en the very existence of people in the Jewish community.

What we’re witnessing at Columbia University and many other universities around the country, including at one point the University of Iowa, is violence fueled by hatred of Israel and the Jewish people, and it must be stopped.

Such violence is unacceptable anywhere, but to witness it at our universities is another low, even for the radical left who organize and fund these protests. Places of education are places of discourse, and all those who choose to attend deserve peace, respect, and safety. My heart truly goes out to all the Jewish students who no longer feel safe at American universities. They deserve better, and sadly, the university

New children’s book by Denise McCormick

Drawing on her experience as an educator and motivational speaker, and her love of children, animals and the farm, Denise McCormick is about to announce the publication of her second children’s book, “Polly the Talking Collie, I am Taking 100% Responsibility!” Here are a few excerpts:

I don’t remember the day very well. I was just a puppy when my new parents came to take me to their Iowa farm. We drove along a gravel road to their big, white farmhouse surrounded by corn and bean fields.

I had a game I played when a car or truck came up the road. I ran alongside my invisible fence to see if I could outrun the vehicle. It was so much fun! Also, all my barking let my Mom and Dad know someone was in our area. Barking to protect the farm was one of my responsibilities.

My name is Polly, and everyone calls me Polly the talking Collie. That’s because my barking always gets their attention.

As a puppy growing up, I had so many life lessons to learn and so many responsibilities on the farm. At first, I didn’t understand what responsibility meant. Responsibility means taking care of my jobs and duties. Taking one hundred percent responsibility means I did what needed to be done, and I took ownership of my actions.

I’m an old doggy now, and I have a new responsibility. I am a service dog. I stay by my farmer’s side every day and love him unconditionally.

Denise McCormick’s goals with her new book are to (1) Teach children what it means to take 100% responsibility; (2) Highlight a modern Iowa farm with

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modern machinery; and (3) show how important a dog can be as a farm dog and then as a service dog.

Denise McCormick’s first children’s book, “Never Mind the Monkey Mind” was an international number one best seller. Look for her second book to be the same, especially since she was recently named to the “Who’s Who of Distinguished Leaders: 2024 Honorees.” Co-authored and featured in “Women Who Shine,” she is a Certified Canfield Trainer in the Success Principles, a Success Mindset Coach, inspirational speaker, and creator of the Facebook group, “The Educator’s Edge.”

She is about to depart for West Africa where she will be the Marketing and Fundraising Director for the Notfor-Profit, Links Across Borders, an international organization that co-creates libraries, facilitates training programs, supports teacher training and girl empowerment programs, etc., in Ghana. Donations can be made at www.linksacrossborders.org.

Denise was recently notified that she will be on the Cover of “T.I.P. Magazine” which will include a 4 – 6 page feature about Denise. T.I.P. (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine promotes high-ranking industry professionals. Her new book, “Polly the Talking Collie” illustrated by Julie Bousum, will be released sometime this year. Denise will be doing book signings, and is available for public speaking engagements.

BTW: Polly is not fictional. She is a real collie, owned and loved by Denise and John McCormick, on their farm in Canaan Township, north of Mt. Pleasant. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

Letters to the PCM Explorer will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist.

Submit letters to news@pcmexplorer.com or Newton News, P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208.

Our District

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

presidents refuse to help them.

In just the last few months, the presidents of two major universities (Harvard & Penn) resigned in shame following their inability to condemn and control antisemitism on their campuses. Now, Columbia University’s President, Minouche Shafik, is being pressed to resign following her inaction and unwillingness to condemn the antisemitic, pro-terrorist demonstrators on her campus, some of whom call for the murder of Jewish people. Speaker Johnson and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik have rightfully called for her resignation, and I echo their sentiment.

Columbia, much like most Ivy League Schools, receives billions of

dollars from the federal government. From 2018 to 2022, Columbia received over $5.8 billion in grants from the federal government. Funding for these institutions should be reconsidered. The federal government should not be funding any school that allows antisemitism and allows for violence against Jewish students.

The purveyors of antisemitism must be stopped. I have recently spearheaded a piece of legislation aimed at tackling antisemitism across the country. The Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act addresses the uptick of antisemitism in the United States. It establishes a commission to investigate the causes of antisemitism, evaluate the evidence and circumstances, and report the findings and recommendations to the President and Congress.

In Congress, I will continue to push for efforts to combat antisemitism and stand with our Jewish friends and neighbors.

Terminating AI funding to our adversaries

Artificial intelligence (AI) was engineered to make our lives easier but poses the possibility of being twisted into menacing machines that wage war against mankind. At least, it’s a familiar plotline of futuristic fictional fantasies, like The Matrix and The Terminator, but the sci-fi scenario could quickly become a reality if the impressive advances being made today in AI fall into the hands of a rogue researcher working on behalf of an adversarial nation.

Because of this, AI is the modern “equivalent to the ‘atomic bomb’” warns a leading scientist whose work has been supported with tens of millions of dollars provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies.

“If my country can take the lead in realizing a genuine artificial general intelligence,” this respected researcher says, it “will become a winning hand in international technological competition for my country.”

Despite the financial backing from the U.S. government and American taxpayers, when he says “my country,” he is not referring to the United States, but rather our global rival—the People’s Republic of China. That’s right, folks!

According to an investigation by Newsweek, the research of a scientist “at the forefront of China’s race to develop the most advanced artificial intelligence” was financed with more than $30 million of U.S. taxpayer dollars over the past two decades.

Since 2001, Song-Chun Zhu’s projects have received the backing of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Army, the Navy, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). As recently as 2021, Zhu was the principal investigator on two different

DoD grants totaling more than $1.2 million, seeking to develop “high-level robot autonomy” that is “important for DoD tasks” and “cognitive robot platforms” for “intelligence and surveillance systems.”

Even Zhu’s NSF-funded work is described as “the foundation for building a wide range of applications in commercial and defense industry, such as intelligence image search, security and surveillance, autonomous vehicle,” and other purposes.

While amassing “an almost unheard of sum for a statistics professor at a public university” in California, Zhu was doing parallel work in China.

In 2004, he founded a robotics and IT institute in his hometown in China. In 2010, Zhu became a member of the Thousand Talents Plan, the CCP’s recruitment program that steals scientific innovation, transfers technology, and lures scientists to China. Zhu became an advisor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, which supports the Chinese military. In 2020, he returned to China. Today, Zhu is the chief scientist at the Wuhan Institute for Artificial Intelligence—located in the infamous city where U.S. agencies were funding risky research on coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology that may have caused the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhu isn’t the only researcher whose work has been sponsored by the Pentagon who is now working for China, either. A chemist, who was part of another grooming program to lure scientists to Chi-

na, was supported with nearly $4 million from the Army, Air Force, and NSF. And six of the seven investigators involved in a 2020 robotics study funded by DARPA and the Navy are now at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence in China. Clearly, greater intelligence— whether artificial or human—is needed to prevent our defense dollars from advancing China’s ambitions to become the world’s AI superpower.

To make researchers receiving support from DoD more accountable, I authored a law—that the Biden administration has refused to enact— requiring public disclosure of Pentagon projects paid for with taxpayer dollars. Until the law is enacted, it will continue to be difficult to identify DoD collaborations with those closely connected to the Chinese government.

While Congress recently directed the Defense Secretary to enforce compliance with my transparency law, I am also launching an investigation now being conducted by the DoD Inspector General to determine the amount of U.S. defense dollars that may have been sent to labs and research institutions in China over the past ten years. To put a cherry on top, I’m giving my April 2024 Squeal Award to the bureaucrats at DoD who have been blindly bankrolling Beijing’s AI brain trust.

So we don’t end here on an ominous note, I’ll point out that the millions of dollars the Pentagon spent on Zhu’s projects—despite the warning posted outside his old lab warning “Beware of Robot”— didn’t create anything close to an army of killer robots. The real impact of his years of pricey research is difficult to measure, but the most tangible AI assembled in Zhu’s lab may be an android named Tony, capable of folding laundry.

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst

From Washington, DC

Iowa Baseball Pitcher Brody Brecht is picking up momentum as the season is cracking down to the final stretch. The right-hander is on the stretch of back to back Big Ten Pitcher of the Weeks’. Known for his big time fastball, which has been clocked at over 104 miles per hour in a game last season, that fastball sits comfortably in the upper nineties and a knockout slider to go with it, which sits in the mid to high eighties. In his last two starts, Brecht has gone a total of 14.2 innings, three hits, one earned run, and 23 strikeouts. Brody was most known for being a two-sport athlete coming into Iowa. A legend at Ankeny High School, he dominated the baseball and football teams, winning a state title in football alongside former Iowa Hawkeye Arland Bruce IV, and finishing third overall in state baseball his senior year. He passed up the MLB Draft out of high school to come to Iowa and continue his two-way run in the black and gold. Brecht developed but didn’t see much time in either sport as a freshmen, he struggled with commanding his dominant fastball, and was outmatched in the receiver room, one that featured future NFL players in Charlie Jones and Tyrone Tracy Jr. as well as Keegan Johnson and Nico Ragaini. He was set up for a big sophomore season. He came into an injury-depleted receiver room and had a few opportunities to start, getting targets and catches in games vs. Iowa State, Nevada, Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. When he truly took off was when baseball season came around, still fighting with command issues, he was the Hawk’s ace when he was at his game. He was seemingly unhittable when he could locate his pitches. Earning honors of first team All Big Ten, Perfect Game Midseason All American, and multiple websites Third Team All American at the end of the season. It was in March of that year that he officially announced he would be focusing on baseball for the rest of his career. This season has been by far his best season of his career, as he is in the top ten in the country in strikeouts. Brecht has been shooting up the draft boards, especially after the last two weeks. If he declares, he could hear his name called early on draft night.

Throwing Out the Jitters

PCM High School baseball season has started. The first official day of practice was on Monday, April 29. Last year the Mustangs were 13-15 overall and 9-5 in the Heart of Iowa Conference. The team had 5 seniors that graduated last year and will have to find new leadership for this season. “I think this season will be great, although the seniors will be missed, most of us have started since sophomore year, and we will be able to pass a lot of knowledge down,” said Gabe Hobbs. The Mustangs have six seniors, four juniors, and four sophomores on the varsity roster. The team’s best overall batting average last year was .330, with senior Easton Webb and senior Nick Farver right behind him with a .326. “I think the season will go really well, and I am looking forward to being able to play with my friends one more year,” said Webb. The Mustangs pitching core is looking strong this year with Farver returning with a team low ERA of 3.05 and 56 strikeouts and junior Trenner VanDyke also returning with an ERA of 3.29, right behind Farver with a total of 67 strikeouts. “I feel good about this year. I am looking forward to playing for the team and I need to work on my off-speed pitches,” said VanDyke. The Mustangs will be at home for their first game of the season on May 16, against Newton.

May Students of the Month

Future Plans: Attend Iowa

Extracurricular Activities: Track, Football, Baseball, & E

Best High School Memory: Messing around with Mr. Hemann Dream Job: Aerospace Engineer

Extracurricular Activi

Band director Timarie LaFoy shares her feelings about the last band concert of the year

Bri Stuphin Staff Writer

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at seven o’clock, PCM High School is celebrating its last band concert of the school year. Band director Timarie LaFoy was asked what songs the band would be playing and Ms. LaFoy responded, “We’re playing The Capitol March, Hymn for Band, Pevensey Castle, Glorious, and then Moscow 1941 which is one we played two years ago but the seniors wanted to play it. And then we’re playing a piece called Nostalgia.”All together, the band will be performing six pieces for their last concert. Ms. LaFoy also mentioned how they have been preparing for the concert since February. Then she explains, “We break up each piece into smaller sections of music to focus on getting the notes and rhythms correct. Then, once we have a whole piece roughly learned, we start working on balance/ blend of the ensemble, dynamics, and overall musicianship of each piece.”

Back on April 10 and 30, Ms. LaFoy had two special guests come in and talk to the band students. These guests were her retired band director mentor Mr. Carl Johnson who came in on April 10, and Dr. Justin Mertz who was from the University of Nothern Iowa who came in on April 30. The two had listened to three songs a big group was going to perform and they gave suggestions. Ms. LaFoy also mentions how it is really important to have other directors come in and give feedback.

To support the band’s last concert of the year, and to celebrate the seniors, please attend the concert. Again, that is on Tuesday, May 14.

The best National Basketball Association players of all time, in order, in my opinion, are the following: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwan, and rounding out the top ten is Tim Duncan. Continuing after the top ten is, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Julius Erving, Kevin Durant, Karl Malone, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Charles Barkley, Oscar Robertson, and rounding out the top 20 is Moses Malone. The most overrated National Basketball Association players of all time are, in order in my opinion, are the following: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and rounding out, the most overrated National Basketball Association players of all time is Jerry West. The most un- derrated National Basketball Association players of all time are, in order in my opinion, are the following: Kobe Bry- ant, Stephen Curry, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, and lastly, rounding out the most underrated National Basketball Association players of all time, is Charles Barkley. The best team in National Basketball Association history of all time, in my opinion, is the nineteen ninety nine- ty-five throws, the nineteen ninety-six Chicago Bulls. The nineteen ninety-five threw the nineteen ninety-six Chicago Bulls lineups: Ron Harper, Michael Jordan (the greatest basketball player of all time), Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman (the greatest rebounder of all time), and Luc Longely. Their bench was Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, Bill Winnington, Jud Buechler, Dickey Simpkins, Randy Brown, Jason Caffey, James Edwards, John Salley, and Jack Haley. The second-best National Basketball Association basketball is the 20152016 Golden State Warriors. The starting lineup for the second-best National Basketball Association basketball team of all time was: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Andrew Boget. The bench for the second-best team of all time of the National Basketball Association basketball team was: Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbaso, Festus Ezeli, Brandon Rush, Ian Clark, James McAdoo, Jason Thompson, Anderson, Varejao, Kevon Looney, and the last player for the second-best team of all time of the National Basketball Association basketball team was Marreese Speights. The all-time starting lineup of National Basketball Association players of all time are, in order, in my opinion, are the following: Stephen Curry at point guard, Michael Jordan at shooting guard, Kobe Bryant at small forward, LeBron James at power forward, Shaquille O’Neal at center. A simpler view would be the following: PG: Stephen Curry, SG: Michael Jordan. SF: Kobe Bryant, PF: LeBron James, C: Shaquille O’Neal

The bench would be the following: Magic Johnson,

Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, and lastly, Julius Erving.

PCM SPORTS Mustangs

PCM goes back-to-back as HOIAC champs

STATE CENTER — Three scores in the 70s and two that were career bests guided the PCM boys golf team to its best team score of the season on April 30.

The Mustangs placed all six golfers in the first 17 positions and the first three were in the top four as PCM claimed the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference championship for the second straight season at the par 72 Lincoln Valley Golf Course.

PCM’s 306 was its season-best score by 10 strokes and 20 shots under its season average of 326.

Nevada also turned in a score that was 11 strokes under its season average but settled for second with a 312.

The rest of the seven-team field featured South Hamilton (338), Roland-Story (345), Greene County (346), West Marshall (364) and Saydel (371).

Charlie Ford, Nick Farver and Easton Van Veen finished 2-3-4 with 75s.

Those are career-best scores for Ford and Farver, who both were around 10 shots under their season averages.

Jeffrey McDanel had the final counting score of 81 and Pete Kiernan (85) and Tate Tangeman (85) posted non-counting scores.

Ford’s round included 11 pars

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

and birdies on the No. 7 and 14. Farver totaled six pars and birdies on No. 3, No. 7, No. 12 and No. 17.

Van Veen was 1-over-par on the back nine. He birdied the No. 3, No. 15 and No. 17 holes and shot an eagle on the par 5 No. 9.

Nevada’s Parker Rodgers was the meet medalist with a 75.

Mustangs finish second at C-M Tigerhawk Invitational COLFAX — All five teams in the Colfax-Mingo Tigerhawk

Boys Golf Invitational shot under their 18-hole averages on May 3.

But Pella Christian placed its top five golfers in the first 11 positions and came out on top of a tournament that featured three area squads.

PCM put its first five golfers in the top 16 and posted its second-best score of the season to finish in second.

The Eagles came into the day with the third-best average in Class 2A.

They were four strokes below

Mustangs score runner-up finish at HOIAC meet

JEWELL — Griffin Olson won both individual hurdle events and Chase Wagaman and Mark Bussan added victories in a field event, but the PCM boys track and field team couldn’t quite solve Nevada during the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference meet on May 2.

The Mustangs’ five total wins were paired with eight other top-three finishes, but PCM fell just three points off a conference title.

Nevada edged PCM at the top with 159 points. PCM (156.5) was 2.5 points back in second and the rest of the top five featured Roland-Story (107), Greene County (92) and South Hamilton (77). West Marshall (63.5), Saydel (38) and Perry (36) completed the eight-team field.

Olson won the 110- and 400-meter hurdles in career-best times. He won the 110 highs in 15.16 seconds, while Gavin Van Gorp (15.96) was fourth.

Olson’s 56.35 won the 400 hurdles and Gavin Steenhoek posted a career-best time of 1 minute, 0.08 seconds in fifth.

Olson’s 15.16 in the 110 highs rank 13th in Class 2A, while his 56.35 in the 400 hurdles is seventh.

Wagaman won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 8 inches and Jake Winters was fourth with a jump of 5-2.

Bussan’s throw of 46-1 1/4 won the shot put, while Van Gorp’s 19-10 3/4 in the long jump placed him second. Alex Wendt (116-10) and Harlan Shannon (115-4) went 4-5 in the discus.

Evan Jones scored a pair of individual top-three finishes. He was second in the 200 in 23.11, while Tad Wilson (23.51) was fifth.

Jones (11.44) and Wilson (11.84) were 3-5 in the 100, too.

Riley Graber posted a ca-

reer-best time of 52.48 to place fourth in the 400, while Coby DeRaad (2:11.77) and Carson Hansen (5:07.27) were sixth in the 800 and 1,600, respectively. The Mustangs also won the shuttle hurdle relay.

The team of Winters, Jaden Houser, Olson and Van Gorp scored a win with a season-best time of 1:02.47, which ranks

in 2A.

PCM’s 4x100, 4x200 and sprint medley relay teams all were second and the 4x400 team finished third.

Olson, Gabe Hobbs, Jacob Wendt and Jones finished the 4x100 in 44.31 seconds and the 4x200 relay team of Jones, Wilson, Jacob Wendt and Hobbs completed the race in 1:32.55.

BOYS TRACK • 7

three individually at the C-M Tigerhawk Invitational. The Mustangs were second as a team behind Pella Christian.

that at the par 72 Colfax Country Club as they won the tournament with a 309.

The Mustangs were four strokes back in second with a 313, while Pleasantville (328) was 10 shots under its season average in third. Newton shot 332 in fourth and the host Tigerhawks finished fifth with a 399.

Pella Christian and PCM both had three scores in the 70s and five totaled a score of 82 or better, but the Eagles won in part because Eliot Menninga

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

turned in a 1-under-par 71 to win medalist honors. Van Veen led PCM with a 74 as the runner-up medalist and Farver shot a 77 in third. Van Veen carded back-toback 37 splits, while Farver and Tangeman had 37s on their front nine.

Tangeman’s 79 was good enough for sixth, while Ford had the final counting score with an 83.

Kiernan (84) and McDanel (87) posted non-counting scores.

PCM ends up fourth at conference meet

second-best time of the season.

JEWELL — Morgan Karr won her second straight conference title in the 100-meter hurdles and the PCM girls track and field team registered seven top-three finishes during the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference meet on May 2.

The Mustangs totaled three runner-up finishes and Karr grabbed the lone win as PCM scored 98 points in fourth.

Roland-Story won the conference title with 160.5 points. West Marshall (117) edged host South Hamilton (113) for second and the rest of the eightteam field included Greene County (86), Perry (67), Nevada (64) and Saydel (15).

Lindsay, Jorja Teeter, Humpal and Karr placed third in the shuttle hurdle relay in 1:12.57.

Three wins power Mustangs to fourth at North Polk ALLEMAN — All three wins for PCM at the North Polk Coed Invitational came in relays as the Mustangs scored 77 points in fourth on April 29.

PCM won the 4x100, 4x800 and shuttle hurdle relays, was second in the 4x400 and registered seven top-three finishes in all.

Karr won the 100 hurdles with a career-best time of 15.51 seconds. That ranks third in Class 2A.

Karr also was the runner-up in the 100. She finished the race in 13.05 seconds and Ryan Bennett was sixth in 13.79.

Ayla Barrett placed second in the high jump with a leap of 4 feet, 10 inches and Lexi Fagg (146) and Alyssa Buckingham (13-11) went 3-5 in the long jump.

Tori Lindsay finished fifth in the 400 hurdles in 1 minute, 19.29 seconds. Bailey Wheeler (2:43.13) also was fifth in the 800 and Paiten Rumbaugh (career-best 1:08.65) finished fifth in the 400.

The best relay finish came in the 4x800. The team of Abi Teeter, Wheeler, Tiffani Koonce and Lila Milani finished second in 10:34.36, which was the team’s second-best time of the season.

The Mustangs were third in the 4x200, distance medley and shuttle hurdle relays.

Buckingham, Lindsay, Addison Shannon and Lillian Humpal posted a time of 1:59.79 in the 4x200 relay.

The distance medley relay featured Jorja Teeter, Stella Stravers, Koonce and Milani and they finished in 4:39.3, which was PCM’s

Host North Polk cruised to the meet title with 147 points, while Roland-Story was the runner-up with 96. South Hamilton (89.5) was third followed by PCM (77), Nevada (68), Greene County (64.5), Bondurant-Farrar (29) and the North Polk JV (28).

The Mustangs now have the eighth-best time in 2A in the shuttle hurdle relay. The team of Lindsay, Jorja Teeter, Humpal and Karr posted a season-best time of 1:10.16 to win the race. They also won the 4x100 in 52.97 seconds with Humpal, Karr, Bennett and Jorja Teeter.

The 4x800 relay team of Milani, Abi Teeter, Koonce and Rumbaugh won the race in 10:40.63 and Koonce, Jorja Teeter, Fagg and Milani finished second in the 4x400 relay in 4:30.07. Abi Teeter had the lone individual runner-up finish. That came in the 800 as Abi Teeter (2:34.05) and Wheeler (2:40.37) posted career-best times in second and fourth, respectively.

Raegan Vannoy finished third in the 1,500 in a career-best 5:57.42, Lindsay (1:20.41) was third in the 400 hurdles and Bennett (29.63) finished fourth in the 200. Humpal (18.34) also placed fifth in the 100 hurdles. Fagg (14-10 3/4) and Buckingham (career-best 14-7 3/4) registered the final top-five individual finishes in fourth and fifth, respectively, in the long jump.

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Troy Hyde/ PCM Explorer

Left: PCM junior Easton Van Veen was the runner-up medalist at the Colfax-Mingo Tigerhawk Invitational on May 3. Right: PCM senior Nick Farver finished in the top

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Barrett

ninth

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Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM junior Carson Hansen runs in a relay at a meet earlier this season. Hansen helped the Mustangs finish second in the conference meet last week.

Explorer PCM

Mustangs shut out by rival Greene County, Chariton

MONROE — The state’s leading goal scorer was just too much for the PCM soccer team on April 29.

Gesser Gutierres scored four times and Greene County’s boys soccer team shut out the Mustangs 4-0 during Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference action.

The Rams led 2-0 at halftime and scored two more goals in the second half.

Gabe Ebersole made two saves for Greene County, which improved to 7-2 and 2-1 in the conference. The Rams tallied 12 shots and put seven of them on goal.

The Mustangs were shut out for the fourth time this season and are now 0-8 in matches when they score one or fewer goals. PCM is 2-0 when scoring more than two.

Greene County improved to 6-0 against PCM (2-8, 0-4) since 2018. All six wins came by shutout.

Gutierres now has a state-leading 31 goals this spring and his 64

completed the seven-team field.

points rank fourth in Iowa and first in Class 2A.

Chariton 5, PCM 0

CHARITON — Chariton led 4-0 at halftime before finishing off the Mustangs with another goal in the second half on May 3.

The Chargers swept the season series between the two teams and outscored the Mustangs 8-1 in those two matches.

Chariton (8-2) posted its fourth shutout and it has allowed four goals in its eight wins.

PCM has lost three straight matches, and Chariton has won four of its last five.

GIRLS GOLF

PCM takes third in home quad

MONROE — Gretchen Uitermarkt and Meredith Chipps both finished in the top seven, but the PCM girls golf team finished third in a home quadrangular on April 29.

The Mustangs couldn’t keep up with Pella or Knoxville at the par 72 Gateway Recreation Golf Course.

The Lady Dutch put five golfers in the top 12 and edged Knoxville 212-213. The Panthers placed three golfers in the top six positions. PCM was third with a 227 and Saydel shot a 241 in fourth.

Uitermarkt finished fourth with a 52 and Chipps matched a career best and finished seventh with a 55.

Brelee Berger (59) and Emilyn Davis (61) had the other two counting scores. Kayla VanderLinden (64) and Seriah Nolin (career-best 64) turned in non-counting scores.

Knoxville’s Faith Roozeboom was the meet medalist with a 45.

The sprint medley relay team of Carter Burns, Jacob Wendt, Hobbs and Graber posted the team’s second-fastest time of the year in 1:39.01.

DeRaad, Graber, Hobbs and Jacob Wendt finished the 4x400 in third with a season-best time of 3:33.75.

Seven wins power Mustangs to victory at North Polk ALLEMAN — PCM won three relays, finished 1-2 in the 110 high hurdles and grabbed two more victories in field events as the Mustangs piled up 138.5 points to win the North Polk Coed Invitational on April 29.

The Mustangs were 26.5 points better than runner-up Greene County (112), which was the only other school to reach triple-figures in points.

Nevada (98), Roland-Story (93), South Hamilton (79), North Polk (74.5) and the Johnston JV (47)

Troy Hyde/ PCM Explorer

PCM senior Mark Bussan won the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference title in the shot put last week. He also won the North Polk Coed Invitational and his best throw this season ranks 22nd in Class 2A.

Wagaman (6-0) and Bussan (47-8) each had career-best performances to win the high jump and shot put, Van Gorp (15.67) and Winters (16.48) finished 1-2 in the 110 high hurdles and Olson (57.51) and Steenhoek (1:00.36) went 1-4 in the 400 hurdles.

Shannon (122-6) and Austin Van Maanen (115-9) had career-best throws to finish third and fourth, respectively, in the discus.

Graber (52.83) and Joey Ferneding (56.9) were 2-5 in the 400, Burns (11.92) placed fifth in the 100 and Joe Shaver posted a career-best time of 2:11.64 to place sixth in the 800.

The 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams all won. Jones, Olson, Jacob Wendt and Hobbs posted their second-best time of the season in the 4x200 with a 1:31.25 and the 4x800 relay foursome with Shaver, Kolby Clark, Hansen and DeRaad also posted their second-fastest time in 8:52.61.

Ferneding, Graber, Hobbs and Jones won the 4x400 in 3:36.88 and the sprint medley relay team

of Jones, Hobbs, Wilson and Jacob Wendt finished second in 1:40.25.

The shuttle hurdle relay team capped the top-three finishes in second. The foursome of Houser, Winters, Olson and Van Gorp posted their second-best time of the season with a 1:02.85.

PCM takes fourth at EBF Relays

EDDYVILLE — PCM piled up six third-place finishes and doubled up in a pair of field events and that led the Mustangs to a fourth-place finish in the large-school division of the EBF Boys Relays on April 23.

Pella Christian won the meet title with 126 points, which was six points clear of runner-up Davis County (120). Host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (78) placed third and PCM (69) edged Chariton (67) for fourth.

Van Gorp, Alex Wendt and Wagaman all grabbed individual bronze medals.

Van Gorp was third in the 110 high hurdles with a time of 15.63, Alex Wendt reached a career-best throw of 123-8 in the discus and Wagaman cleared 5-10 in the high jump.

Hansen’s career-best time of 1:03.06 placed him fourth in the 400 hurdles, Clark (2:18.63) was fourth in the 800 and Shannon gave PCM double points in the discus after his career-best throw of 119-7 netted him fourth. Winters also was sixth in the high jump with a leap of 6-0.

The Mustangs were third in the 4x800, distance medley and shuttle hurdle relays.

The foursome of Houser, Winters, Steenhoek and Van Gorp posted a time of 1:06.63 in the shuttle hurdle.

DeRaad, Hansen, Graber and Clark finished the 4x800 in 9:01.94 and the distance medley relay team of DeRaad, Wagaman, Ferneding and Shaver completed the race in 4:02.2.

Mustangs finish seventh at HOIAC tournament STATE CENTER — Roland-Story and Nevada used up nine of the first 13 positions at the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference girls tournament on May 1.

The Lady Norse and Cubs finished well ahead of the pack, while Uitermarkt led the Mustangs to a seventh-place finish.

Roland-Story placed five golfers in the first 13 spots and won the conference tournament with a 337. Nevada (345) was the runner-up after placing four in the top 12.

West Marshall (371), Perry (409), Greene County (422), South Hamilton (426), PCM (428) and Saydel (455) finalized the eight-team field.

Uitermarkt shot a 98 to lead PCM, while Chipps (108), Davis (110) and Berger (112) had the other counting scores. VanderLinden (122) turned in a non-counting score.

Nevada’s Olivia Axmear won medalist honors with a 76.

Lincoln Valley Golf Course helped the Mustangs claim their second straight conference title and then he carded a 77 for third at the Colfax Country Club on May 3.

Nick Farver

PCM senior Nick Farver finished third twice last week. Farver’s 75 and third-place finish at

PCM Explorer PCM Explorer

Thank You Teachers

Her first position was at Carlisle Elementary teaching kindergarten. While she loved her time there, when the same opportunity opened up at Prairie City Elementary, she jumped on it.

“I grew up in the PCM district and several years prior to me teaching at PCM my husband and I decided to move back and raise our family here,” Fridley said. “I wanted to teach at PCM to make a difference in the community and the school that my own children attended. I wanted to make connections and have positive relationships with the students and families at PCM and hopefully make a difference in their lives.”

Teaching isn’t just walking into the classroom, relaying lessons and correcting papers. The hard work that goes into making sure each student gets the best everyday can lead to struggle and frustration for many teachers with how the system works and the government views education

“A big struggle is not having the resources available to do all the things you want to do. There are so many things that we want to do in the classroom but because of lack of funding it makes it very difficult to,” Fridley said. “Another challenge is lawmakers and/or elected officials at the state and local levels who have not been in the classroom are the ones making all the educational decisions. Lately, it feels like public education is constantly getting attacked.”

Even with the struggles, finding the triumphs, even small ones, make each day worth it.

“The biggest and best victories are when you see students meet their goals,” Fridley said. “You watch them struggle and contin-

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ue to work hard to meet their goals and it is amazing watching them succeed. To know you were a part of that is very rewarding.”

A challenge no teacher saw coming was trying to teach through a worldwide pandemic. Even though they were behind a computer screen, Fridley found ways to connect with the kids and make their time together fun.

“It was the craziest time any of us have experienced. It was also fun coming up with new and different ways to connect to our students,” Fridley said. “I will never forget the weekly Zoom class meetings

we had where students had show and tell, went on scavenger hunts, listened to me read stories, etc. The teacher caravan through the district and delivering end of year gifts to every student’s house was another fun memory. Watching students smile and wave as we drove by was the best feeling.”

At the end of the day, Fridley’s drive to be the best teacher she can comes from the students. Getting to watch them come in small and sometimes afraid on the first day, and then grow to read, write, solve equations and work together in just a year

is always an incredible experience for Fridley.

“I love seeing and getting hugs, high fives or smiles from all the past students I have had in the hallway,” Fridley said.

“When things outside of our control are getting hard there is nothing better than being around young students. They are incredible and just make everything better! I love watching students learn and grow through the year. I love making a positive impact on so many lives. It is the most rewarding career and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Teaching has both victories and struggles. Kids are growing and learning, and it isn’t always the easiest assignment to manage not only academics but social and emotional growth.

“The biggest struggle for me is when students have social emo-

“One of my fondest memories include being able to begin my teaching career at Monroe Elementary with Sally Morris,” Landgrebe said. “She was my second grade teacher and then became a great mentor and friend to me as I was beginning my career.”

tional struggles and not being able to fix things for them. Seeing children struggle with any parts of their day is tough,” Landgrebe said. “I took a lot of psychology classes that helped me to understand the growth and development of young children. It has provided me insight into children’s emotional, cognitive and social development.”

Newton Municipal Band welcomes new members from around county

Seeing kids progress, even if it is little milestones, bring daily victories for Landgrebe. While for some kids tasks may be simple, for those who struggle to get past a goal it can be life changing.

“I enjoy seeing the students achieve their goals and reach their full potential,” Landgrebe said. “I love building relationships with students.”

With an ever-changing teaching landscape Landgrebe still looks forward to each day at school like it was her start of the career.

“I still enjoy teaching like it was my first day!” Landgrebe said. “My students, families and staff at PCM make coming to work each day a rewarding experience.”

or just

Thanks to our sponosors: The Newton Municipal Band will open this year’s series of Summer Concerts in the Park, on May 30. The band is always happy to welcome new members. If you are in high school or older, and you play a wind or percussion instrument, you are invited to play! The first rehearsal will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in the band room at Newton Senior High. Enter the building through the lower east door, and the band room is right there. The band’s members hail from throughout Jasper County and from as far away as Des Moines. To learn more about the band, call Pam at 641-792-

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Prairie City Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Stacy Fridley has wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. She is now living that dream at school she graduated from in the community she has always called home.